Flaring tool



Oct. 17, 1950 y R. B. EDELMANN 2,526,210

FLARING TooL 2 sheets-sheet 1 'Filed vJuly 9, 1949 lllllli L #ff Oct. 17, 1950 R. B. EDELMANN 2,526,210

FLARING Toor.

Filed July 9, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Patented Oct. 17, 17950 FLARING Toor.

Robert B. Edelmann, Chicago, Ill., assigner to E. Edelmann & Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 9, 1949, Serial No. 103,800

This invention relates ticularlyto aring tools for providing ares on thin walled tubing; `such tubing is usually formed of copper, steel or aluminum alloy.

In aring tools 'which have heretofore been available, difficulty has been encountered in centering the Haring portion of the tool with respect to the tube and with respect to thefcenter of theY opening in a plate or the like in which the tube is secured during the flaring operation.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to insure that the flaring portion of the tool is properly centered and that a concentric, uniform nare is provided on the tube.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flaring tool in which universal movement of the flaring portion is afforded, so that it is selfcentering.

Itis a further object of the invention to provide improved haring tools which are readily manufactured and assembled and which are relatively inexpensive.

With these and other objects in view, my invention' consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully setforth, pointed lout in tool shown in Figure l, with parts thereof in section, 'i' .A l Figure 3 is a sectional View of the haring tool taken-online 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the flaring ltool taken on lined-4 of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a top plan view of a flaring tool constructed in accordance with-a second embodiment of the invention',

vFigure 6V is a sectional view of lthe flaring tool shown in "Figure 51 taken'o'n line 6-6 thereof,

Figure 'lisan end view of the flaring tool shown in Figure 5, and v e Figure 8 vis-a bottom view o f the flaring tool shownin Figure '5, with parts'thereofbrokensaway for the sake of clearness. 1

Referring specifically t'o Figures 1 to 4 inclusive for a detailed description of the first embodiment of the invention, numeral I I designates generally a, tube supporting means or aring block Vformed of two Arectangularjpieces of rnetal I2 and I3.r

12 Claims. (Cl. 153-79) to .flaring tools and par- I The rectangular metal pieces l2 and I3-are .provided with a plurality of complementary openings which provide cylindrical openings 9 when the two pieces are assembled together. The tops of the openings 9 are provided'with a slightbevel as shown at I 0. One ofthe rectangular'members i3 is provided with an openingY I5 and the'other rectangular 'member I2 is provided with pins I4 my claims and illustrated inthe accompanying which extend into theV openings I5 and retain the members i2 and i3' in proper position relative to each other. The pins i4 preferably enter the openings I5 and engage the member I3 with a frictional fit so that the parts l2 and I3 normally stay together. l

As best shown in Figure 3 theftube .to befared is shown at I6 and the'ar'e thereof at I'I'; The tube I6 is disposed in the proper aperture SI depending on its size and, as will be apparent as the description proceeds, the flare Il is formed on the tube iii by operation of the tool.

A relatively heavy body member I8 contains the flaring mechanism and is provided with adownwardly extending legv IS having a shoulder or flange 2| which is adapted to engage the underside of the block II. The block II is limited Vin its upward movement by the internal shape of the leg I9. One side of the blockv il is providedI with a plurality of depressions 20, for a purpose here'- f inafter described. v.

A second downwardly extending leg 22 is provided in alignment with and'spaced from the leg I9. The leg 22 is provided with internal threads 23 for receiving a threaded stud 24. -The stud 24 is provided with a smooth outer end 25, through which the vise-type handle 2S extends. Theforward end of the stud'Zl `is adapted to enter one of the apertures '2t in the block II and `retain the body member I8 in position, substantially aligned with the desired opening 9, depending on the size of the tube to be flared.

The body member I8 is provided' with'a rectangular opening or chamber 2 in the central lower portion thereof and with a circular' coin'- municatingn opening or chamber 28 inthe upperV gular portion 33 and an upper substantially cir'.-

cular portion 31%. If desired, the corners of the rectangular portion 33 may be rounded. The lower rectangular portion 33 is positionedin'and is spaced from the walls of the opening 2l. The

upper circular portion 34 is positioned in and spaced from the walls of the upper circular opening 28. The upper portion 34 of the plug 3l is threaded at 35 and a washer 36 is provided on the threaded portion and is pinned thereto. The washer 3S freely slides on the seat S of the body I8.

A generally conical flaring member 3'! is secured to a threaded shaft 40 which extends through the block 33 in threaded engagement therewith. The shaft 4Q is provided with a suitable turning handle 39. The conical iiaring member 3l is preferably pivotallv secured to the stud 45 by a pin 3B so that slight relative movement between the flaring member 3l' and stud 49 is afforded.

It will be apparent from the above description that the plug 33 is free to move in any horizontal direction in the body member i8 to a limited degree. Furthermore, the flaring member 3'? is permitted to move about the axis of the pin 38 to a limited degree. Therefore, when the tube l5 is disposed in the block l! and the shaft dil is screwed downwardly, the ilaring member 3l will engage with the tube and will center itself with respect thereto. Further downward movement of the shaft 48 and flaring member 3l, will form the flare Il in the tube, which ilare is uniform and concentric. Obviously, the position the block Il' with respect to the bodyv i8 may be changed for different tube sizes and the relative position of the two parts maintained by rotating the stud 24 in leg 22.

Referring specifically to Figures 5 to 8 oi the drawings for a detailed description of the second embodiment of the invention, numerals 5l and 52 designate a pair of substantially rectangular plates which are secured together in spaced rela-- tion in the following manner:

A square stud 54 is positioned in square openings 53 in the plates 5! and 52 and is held therein by bolts and washers 55, 56 and 5l, 58.

Adjacent the other end of the plates 5l and 52 are provided circular openings 59 and 5l. A pair of upright spaced studs 5&3 and 'lil are provided to hold the flaring tool, in a manner hereinafter described. The stud G has an upper exposed square portion 52 and a lower circular portion 63, which extends through the openings 59 in the plates 5l and 52. The lower extremity of the circular portion 53 of the stud is threaded at 54 and a nut 55 is provided for holding the stud in position.

The stud 'I9 also has an upper exposed square portion 14 and a lower cylinder portion l5 which extends through the opening 6i in plates 5l and 52. The lower extremity of the cylindrical portion 'I5 is threaded as shown at 'I6 and a nut TI is provided on the threaded portion l5.

A pair of flaring blocks 5'! and '68 having semicircular cut-outs 69 and 'il in the periphery thereof are disposed between the plates 5l and 52. The flaring blocks have respective central apertures 66 and 'l2 therein. The flaring block 6l is therefore capa-ble of rotation about the cylindrical portion 63 of stud 6G, since the portion 63 extends loosely through the opening 565 therein.

The plates 5l and 52 are held in spaced relation by a sleeve 13 which is inserted in the opening 'I2 of the flaring block 58. The sleeve 13 encompasses the cylindrical portion 'l5 of stud l0 and abuts against the plates 5l and 52 to properly space the plates. The aring block E8 is, of course, rotatable about the sleeve 13. It is therefore clear that the sleeve 13 properly spaces one end of the plates 5l and 52, and stud 54 properly spaces the other end of the plates, and that the flaring blocks 6T and 68 are freely rotatable between the plates.

Horizontal cylindrical bearings 'I8 and 'l are provided at the upper ends of the studs 6B and 'l0 respectively. A substantially rectangular block is provided with horizontally extending pins or shafts 82 and 83 which are journalled in bearings 'I8 and 19, respectively, in the upstanding studs. The block 8l is internally threaded vertically thereof as shown at 89.

A flaring member 84 is preferably formed in one piece and includes a handle 85 and a threaded bolt SS which engages with the threads 8D in the block 8l. A generally conical flaring portion 8'.' is formed at the bottom of the flaring member 84, and extends through a circular aperture in the top plate 5l when screwed down.

The tube to be flared is shown at 88 and the ilare thereon at 89.

A bolt QI is threaded through the block 54 and has a block 92 rotatably secured to its inner end. rThe bolt 9| is provided with a smooth portion 93 at its outer end through which a vise-type lever or handle all extends.

As best shown in Figure 6, the block 8| is spaced as shown at 95 and 91 from the studs 65 and 15. The block, as well as the bolt 86 and conical member 81, are therefore free to move a limited distance in one horizontal direction. Furthermore, since the block 8l is horizontally r0- tatable in the bearings i8 and 19, it, as well as the bolt 86 and conical member 81, may rotate in such bearings. It is apparent, therefore, that limited substantially horizontal movement of the conical member 81 in another direction is afforded. Thus a universal mounting is provided. The eXtent of the horizontal movement in the first direction may be varied by providing a slot 95 in the plates 5| and 52 through which the stud El) extends.

When it is desired to flare a tube, the flaring blocks B1 and 68 are rotated so that complementary cut-outs 69 and 'll of the desired size are facing each other. It is noted that the cut-outs are provided with an upper beveled edge. When the desired complementary cutouts are properly positioned, the bolt 9| is rotated so that block 92 engages with the side of flaring block 61 to hold the blocks 6l and 68 in rproper position. A tube 88 is then inserted in the circular aperture thus formed and the bolt 86 is rotated to move the conical member 8i into the tube. Obviously, the conical end member 81 will center itself in the tube because of the universal movement permitted by the mounting of the flaring member Furthermore, further downward movement of the conical member 8'! provides a uniform and concentric flare 89 on the tube 88.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided improved aring tools wherein the flaring member is capable of universal movement and is therefore self-centering. This insures uniform and concentric flares. Furthermore, the aring tools are readily manufactured and assembled, and are relatively inexpensive.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure 'or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

'porting means, said support affording movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical aperture and preventing movement of said block in a direction toward or away from said aperture.

2. A tool for aring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured'to said tube supporting means, said support affording limited movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said cylindricalaperture and preventing movement of said block in a direction toward or away from said aperture.

3. A tool for flaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said supp-ort affording movement of said conical member in anyrdirection substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical aperture and preventing movement of said block in a direction toward or away from said aperture, said conical member being pivotally secured to said shaft.

4. A tool for flaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having 2.1. cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flar in'gmember secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for `receiving the threaded shaft y and affording movement of said aring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said'block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support having an aperture formed therein adapted to be substantially aligned with the aperture in said tube sup-porting means, means formed on said block and said support substantially preventing movement of said block toward or away from said tube supporting aperture, means for limiting rotational movement of said block in said support, said block being spaced from said support to afford limited horizontal movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tube receiving aperture.

5. A tool for flaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube,

a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support having an aperture formed therein adapted to be substantially aligned with the aperture in said tube supporting means, means formed onsaid block and said support substantially preventing movement of said block toward or away from said tube supporting aperture, means for limiting rotational movement of said block in said support, said block being spaced from said support to afford limited horizontal movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tube receiving aperture, said conical member being pivotally secured to said shaft.

6. A tool for flaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein .for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical ilaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block forreceiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from. said'aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said block adapted'to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support having an aperture formed therein adapted to be substantially aligned with the aperture in said tube supporting means, means formed on said block and said support substantially preventing movement of said block toward or away from said tube supporting aperture, means for limiting rotational movement of said block in said support, a por* tion of the aperture in said block being substantially cylindrical and another portion being substantially rectangular, said block having substantially cylindrical and rectangular portions spaced from the cylindrical and rectangular portions of said aperture to afford limited movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tube receiving aperture.

7. A tool for' flaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member'secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support having an aperture formed therein adapted to be substantially aligned with the aperture in said tube supporting means, means formed on said block and said support substantially preventing movement of said block toward' or away from said tube supporting aperture, means for limiting rotational movement of said block in said support, a portion of the aperture in said block being substantially cylindrical and another portion being substantially rectangular, said block having substantially cylindrical and rectangular portions spaced from the cylindrical and rectangular portions of said aperture to afford limited movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of said tube receiving aperture, and means for pivotally securing said conical member to said shaft.

8. A tool for aring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support comprising bearing means extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube receiving aperture, and a shaft secured to said block and supported by said bearing to afford pivotal movement of said block and to prevent substantial movement thereof toward and away from said tube receiving aperture, said block being spaced from said support to afford limited sliding movement of said block relative to the support.

9. A tool for daring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a general conical iiaring member secured to one end of shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube support ing means, said support comprising bearing means extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube receiving aperture, a shaft secured to said block and supported by said bearing to afford pivotal movement of said block and to prevent substantial movement thereof toward and away from said tube receiving aperture, said block being spaced from said support to afford limited sliding movement of said block relative to the support and means for varying the space between the block and support.

10. A tool for aring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support comprising a pair of bearing members with bearings therein extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube receiving aperture, a pair of shafts secured to said block and supported by said bearings to afford pivotal movement of said block, said block being spaced from said bearing members to afford limited sliding movement of said block relative thereto.

11. A tool for fiaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end of a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical iiaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member toward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support comprising a pair of bearing members with bearings therein extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tube receiving aperture, a pair of shafts secured to said block and supported by said bearings to afford pivotal movement of said block, said block being spaced from said bearing members to afford limited sliding movement of said block relative thereto and means for varying the space between the block and said supports.

l2. A. tool for flaring thin walled tubes comprising a tube supporting means having a cylindrical aperture therein for receiving the end cf a tube, a threaded shaft, a generally conical flaring member secured to one end of said shaft, a threaded block for receiving the threaded shaft and affording movement of said flaring member foward and away from said aperture upon rotation of said shaft, and a support for said block adapted to be rigidly secured to said tube supporting means, said support affording movement of said conical member in any direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical aperture and preventing movement of said block in a direction toward or away from said aperture, said shaft and conical aring member being rigidly secured together.

ROBERT B. EDELMANN.

anrnnENoEs CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Number Name Date 933,707 Hayes Sept. 7, 1909 1,297,457 Furber Mar. 18, 1919 Y 1,350,904 Walters Aug. 24, 1920 1,950,154 Rosenberg Mar. 6, 1934 1,955,913 Holsclaw Apr. 24, 1934 2,132,947 .Gagne Oct. 11, 1938 2,441,495 H1111 June 1, 1948 

